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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffMost types of male infertility aren't preventable. However, avoid drug and tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, which may contribute to male infertility. Also, high temperatures can affect sperm production and motility. Although this effect is usually temporary, avoid hot tubs and steam baths.
If you're a man who's uncertain about whether you would eventually like to become a father, don't undergo permanent sterilization, such as a vasectomy. Although surgery to reverse this condition is possible, risks are involved that could affect fertility in other ways.
A woman can increase her chances of becoming pregnant in a number of ways:
- Exercise moderately. Regular exercise is important, but if you're exercising so intensely that your periods are infrequent or absent, your fertility may be impaired.
- Avoid weight extremes. Being overweight or underweight can affect your hormone production and cause infertility.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco and street drugs. These substances may impair your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. Don't drink alcohol or smoke tobacco. Avoid illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.
- Limit caffeine. Women trying to get pregnant may want to limit caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day (one or two cups of coffee).
- Limit medications. The use of both prescription and nonprescription drugs can decrease your chance of getting pregnant or keeping a pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about any medications you take regularly.
- Guzick DS. Evaluation of the infertile couple. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Hornstein MD et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Infertility: Frequently asked questions. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/infertility.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Kuohung W, et al. Etiology of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Brassard M, et al. Basic infertility including polycystic ovary syndrome. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1163.
- Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134799312-6/0/1524/267.html?tocnode=53760021&fromURL=267.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50044-3_1301. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Kuohung W, et al. Overview of treatment of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Thinking about fertility treatment. March of dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_14308.asp. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Understanding menopause. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/premature.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Uterine fibroids: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/uterine-fibroids.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Weng X, et al. Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: A prospective cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.2008;198:5.
- Sigman M, et al. Male infertility. In: Wein AJ, et al, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134799312-10/836106647/1445/22.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50021-2_1518. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Casper RF, et al. Ovulation induction with aromatase inhibitors. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Hammer LB. Psychiatric aspects of infertility and infertility treatments. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:689.
- Domar AD. The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:4.
